Conduit block making machine



June 4, 1963 P. E. RAucH 3,091,831 coNnUrT BLocK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 L 'ma JNVENTOR. PAUL E. RAUCH 'A BY fwwwkul ATTORNEY June 4, 1963 P. E. RAUCH CONDUIT BLOCK MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1961 JNVENTOR.

PAUL E. RAucH ATTORNEY June 4, 1963 P. E. RAucH CONDUIT BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 5 m w |=|G.4 ff" ff/ 73:7 Y n A A /f` [Y GV 7 l l l l l l 66| l I l 776 l L L A 65] lll .mm 64 5'7' L Y szsllI-/Vllll/,I Ik

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L INVENTOR.

PAUL E. RAUCH BY ATTORNEY June 4, 1963 P. E. RAUCH coNnuIT BLOCK MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 6, 1961 FIG.6

JNVENTOR. PAUL E. RAucH ATTOR N EY June 4, 1963 P. E. RAUcH 3,091,831

CONDUIT BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Flag INVENToR. PAUL E. RAUCH ATTORNEY 3,091,831 CNDUIT BLDCK MG MACHINE Paul E. Rauch, St. Louis County, Mo., assignor of onehalf to .lohn M. Mohan, St. Louis County, Mo. Filed Mar. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,476 Claims. (Cl. 25-34) This invention relates in general to conduit blocks and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in machines for making same. This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, tiled October 5, 1959, Serial No. 844,415 now Patent Number 2,994,936, entitled Conduit Block Making Machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a conduit block making machine which is adapted for producing blocks having conduits beveled at their opposite ends to prevent cutting of cable coverings through inadvertent misalignment of adjacent blocks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide conduit blocks having constant diameter `dowel pin openings extending continuously from end to end thereof whereby sections of varying length cut from such blocks will integrally contain openings for dowel pins, and thus, not require the independent formation of such openings as is presently necessary.

I-t is another object of the present invention to provide a conduit block making machine which is adapted for highly reliable, economical, and durable performance, having a relative simplicity of parts, so that the same is not subject to frequent down time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conduit block making machine which incorporates novel means for forming continuous dowel pin openings in conduit blocks which obviates the use of lower, upwardly extending mold pins, thereby avoiding damage to the pallet as well as to produced blocks by misalignment of such pins.

Itis a still further object of the present invention to provide a conduit block making machine which is relatively `simple in operation, requiring minimum supervision and wherein the same will produce conduit blocks of consistently excellent quality.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings (iive sheets) wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a conduit block making machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse section taken yon the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal transverse section taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 7 7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical transverse section of another form of forming plate constructed in accordance with and embodying `the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view of a conduit block formed by operation of the present invention.

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal view taken on the line 12 12 of FIGURE l1.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A broadly designates a conduit block making machine comprising a pair of horizontally spaced apart, vertically extending columns or posts 1, 1', which at their lower ends are secured upon a base frame structure, indicated at 2, and located below door level, being mounted upon a foundation F. Provided for vertical reciprocal travel along columns 1, 1 is a motor head or carriage 3 comprising a pair of sleeves or bearing housings 4, 4 for movement along columns 1, 1', respectively, and a central or intermediate frame body portion 5 which includes upper and lower transverse, parallel plates 6,y 7, respectively. Mounted on upper plate 6 is a plurality of hydraulic motors m which may be of any selected number, as for example, nine, with the central motor m' being supported upwardly of the others upon a suitable mounting plate 6. The drive shaft of each motor m, which projects downwardly, is engaged to an elongated, vertical shaft or spindle 8; said latter 4being axially parallel to columns 1, 1', and each being journalled in a bearing 9 mounted in lower transverse plate 7 of frame -body portion 5 of head 3. Each shaft 8 carries at its lower end a packing head p. Shafts 8 are adapted for uniform rate of rotation, as by means more fully described in my aforesaid copending application which forms no part of the present invention.

Secured to the under face of lower transverse plate 7 are four collars 100 in tandem arrangement, each being located in the space centrally of four adjacent shafts 8 and thus disposed at degree intervals about the center shaft. Secured, as by a set screw 102, -within each collar is the upper end of an elongated rod or dowel pin core holder lill having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the bore of the related collar 100 and being so engaged that its upper end face is spaced from transverse plate 7. I-t will be seen that said rods 101 are adapted for limited play within their respective collars and coact with the same to thereby provide a, commonly referred to, sloppy tit. Proximate their upper ends, adjacent collars 160, the rods 101 of each transversely aligned pair are interconnected by a transverse pin 103l which projects at its ends freely through aligned bores in said rods 101, and has engaged at its ends securing elements such as cotter pins 104. By means of pins 103y the outer limits of the intervening space between rods 101 will be controlled, yet said rods 101 will be permitted, within the limits provided, restricted independent movement, for purposes presently appearing.

The lower end of each rod 41011 is located immediately upwardly of the upper end of packing heads p of shafts 8, and at such end is tapered as at 105. Said rods 1011 are each drilled in their lower end face to form an upwardly extending socket 106 for receiving the upper, reduced end 107 of a dowel pin core 108; there being a set screw t for securing the latter in position. Said coreV .108 is provided with a shoulder 109 for abutment against the adjacent, confronting lower end face of lche related rod 101. The lower ends of cores 108 terminate immediately upwardly of the lower end faces of packing heads p and are tapered at their lower end extremity (FIGURE 4). Mounted upon the upper ends of column-s 1, 1' is an open, rectangular support frame '12 formed, preferably of channel stock. Supported upon lbrackets (not shown) iixed to each column 1, |1' and the yadjacent portion of frame '12 are vertically presented hydraulic cylinders .16, 16', respectively, each having -at its lower end a piston 17, 17', respectively, which ,are engaged to a fitting or boss b provided upon the related sleeve 4, 4' of bead 3 whereby tions 20, for communication with a pump and ,source of fluid (not shown) of a conventional hydraulic system. -It is to be observed that individua-1, selected motors of the total group may be operated through a fluid control system (not shown) which conforms to well knownV prac-V tice, so that an operator may only operate certain of the motors for specializedrnolding operations.

Hose sections 2t), 2d -ar-e of such length as to accommodate Ithe vertical travel of motor head 3. To assist in the upward movement of each of said sections 2G, 2d', upon return travel of head 3, there is provi-ded a counterweight '|23 -for each of said hose sections 2d, 20'; said counterweight 23 being located outwardly of the adjacent column r1, -.1' and being carried at ythe end of a cable 24, which exten-ds upwardly and is trained over a pair of inner and outer horizontally aligned pulleys 25,25', andV thence led :downwardly for securement, as by clamp 26, to the related hose section 2t), 20. Said pulleys 25, 25 (there being -four such pair) are mounted on rods 27, 27', respectively, which are fixed at their ends in parallel frame members -28 presented at the upper ends of uprights 29, the lower ends of which are welded or otherwise secured upon frame 12; there being braces 3! for rigidifying the pulley support structure.

Y With reference to FIGURE 1, it will thus be seen that as motor head 3 travels downwardly along columns .1, 1f', hose section .20, 20 will likewise be caused to extend downwardly at their inner ends, causing a simultaneous raising of their respective counterweights 23, as shown in phantom lines. However, upon upward or return travel of said motor head 3, counterweights 23 will descend, through gravity, and effect an upward pulling upon the related hose sections Ztl', Ztl to assure their restoration to initial, fully serviceable position.

It is apparent that conduit block machine A may be provided with any number of such motors m as desired. Normally, conduit blocks of the type produced by machine A will contain nine conduits or ducts. However, blocks having a lesser number, some of which are also widely utilized, may be as easily produced. Consequently, on order ito make a :block with less than nine ducts, it is only requisite to `de-energize such of the motors m as necessary. Manifestly, machine A could be built withV any number of motors rather than merely nine and, accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a machine having only nine such motors.

The lower ends of dowel pin cores Hi8 and shafts 8 together with the packing heads p thereon extend through openings 33, 33 respectively formed in the base wall 34 of a hopper box '35; said openings 33 being of sufficient diameter to freely accommodate rods 10d; Hopper box' 35 is provided with upstanding side and end walls, asat 36, and is presented transversely between columns ,1, 1'; there being sleeves or bearing housings 37, 37' for respective disposition about said columns 1, 1 engaged to the opposite sides tof smid hopper box 35 through connecting support portions 38, 38. Each sleeve 37, 37 is engaged `on its outer side, as through a bracket 39, 39', with the upper end of a piston 40, 40', respectively, of a vertically presented hydraulic cylinder 41, 41', respectively, the lower ends of which latter are mounted upon supports 42, 42', respectively, anchored at their lower ends upon base structure 2. Thus, pistons 46, 46" are axially parallel to columns-1,1 and adapted upon their upward stroke tov effect a lifting of hopper box 35 while, conversely, upon downward movement, to cause descent of the same, for purposes presently appearing.

Mounted upstandingly upon the upper surface of base wall 34 of box 35 are four vertical, spaced apart housings l d3, for compression springs 44, which are encirclingly disposed about elongated rods 45; the upper ends of said springs 44 bearing against the upper end wall of the related housing 43 while the lower ends bear against the upper `surface of -a stripper plate 46 located below hopper .box 35 in planar parallel relationship to base wall 34 thereof. Said rods 45 are fixed at their upper ends within housing 43 while the'lower ends project freely through openings 54, 54

` openings (not shown) .formed in stripper plate 46 with a retaining nut 48 being mounted upon the projecting end of each-to serve as a detent for preventing disengagement from stripper plate 45.- Thus, said springs 44 bias stripper plate 45 into downwardly spaced relationship with respect to hopper box 35. Provided on opposite side portions of base plate 34 of hopper box 35 is a pair of guide pins 56 depending downwardly therefrom for slideable reception within sleeve-like members 51 formed on Stripper plate `d6, wherebysaid guide pins 59 will maintain hopper box 35 and stripper plate A45 in proper aligned relationship. Said stripper plate 46 is provided with yopenings 54, 54 which are respectively aligned with the openings 33, 33 of .base wall 34 of hopper box 35, for passage therethrough of packing heads p and their associated shafts S and rods lill and their cores 163, respectively. -Secured to the under surface of stripper plate 46, as by bolts, is a dat, `forming plate 111 having openings 1t14, `M4 in registration with, and of like diameter as, respectively, of said stripper plate 46. However, the lower ends of openings `114 are encircled by a charufered rim llS providing an upwardly and outwardly directed bevel for purposes presently appearing. Suitably mounted upon the under surface of stripper plate 46 for projection downwardly therefrom is a plurality of spaced, elongated, mold guide members 55 for properly locating and maintaining a mold box B in operating position, as will be described more fully hereinbelow.

Referring now to` FIGURE 3, there is shown a circular turntable 56 adapted lfor rotation `about a vertical shaft 57 journaled within base structure 2, there being a plurality of rollers 58 provided on the periphery of said turntable 56 for assisting same during revolution as well as preventing any planarwise twisting or misalignment thereof. Carried on said turntable `56 is a pair of diametrically opposed pilot or guide plates 59, 59', eachV of which is provided with a plurality of'apertures 6E) Ifor alignment with apertures 54, 1.14, and 33 of stripper plate 46, forming plate lll, and hopper box .35, respectively, for extension therethrough of'packing heads p (see FIGURE 5), when lsaidpilot plates are in operative position. Each pilot plate A59, V59' embodies aplurality of upstanding mold guides d1 lfor supporting and locating the lower end of mold boxB, as the sameis disposedV upon a pilot plate. It will be noted that with `turntable 56 in the position shown in FlGURE 3, pilot plate 59 will be presented substantially intermediate the lower endsV of columns il, r1',

and thus, is in operative position, while the other pilot.

plate `59 is presented in, what might be termed, preparatory position in that it is accessible for mounting thereon of an empty mold box B, readied for being rotated into operative position upon completion of 4the molding operation within the mold box disposed upon pilot plate 59'. Although not depicted in the drawings, and hence not constitu-ting apart of .the present invention, there is provided with turntable 56 a .system of micro-switches for assuring proper positioning of plates 59, '59', as machine 9 will be rendered inoperative by said switches unless the said plates are accurately positioned. Y

Mold boxes B as used with the present invention are of general four-sided construction, being preferably of cast aluminum, and elongated commensurately for the desired length'ofconduit block to be formed therefrom. Said mold boxes B areV constituted of wall-forming sections 62, which are engageable at their meeting edges by At -the lower end of the wall-forming sections 62 of mold box B is a continuous, inwardly projecting base shoulder 64 adapted for supporting a base pallet 65 which is undercut along its periphery to deline an overhang 65 aligned with the said shoulder 64, but with the height of such overhang 65 being -slightly greater than the height of shoulder 64 so that when said pallet 65 is in position upon the particular pilot plate, there will 4be normally an ntervening `spacing .therebetween as at s in FIGURE 5. lPallet 65 is provided with a series of openings 66 for alignment with the openings 60 in pilot plates 59, 59 for projection therethrough of packing heads p. About the upper ends of each of said openings 60, pallet 65 is formed, as by casting, to present a chamfered rim 116, being a downwardly and outwardly directed bevel. Also pr-ovided in pallet 65 are openings 117 having a diameter for permitting extension therethrough of dowel pin cores 2108 (FIGURE 5), being thus -aligned -with openings 54 of forming plate 111 but of relatively reduced diameter. Each pilot plate 59, 59 contains openings 70 for alignment with openings 117 to accommodate cores 108.

In the operation of machine A, with the same in initi-al or starting position, as shown in full lines in FIGURE l, and mold box B disposed upon pilot plate 59 between columns 1, 1 beneath stripper plate 46 and forming plate 1 11 which latter will be .disposed upon the upper end thereof, and with mold guides 55 assuring proper location of the box B, the operator, by suitable means, actuates the hydraulic system comprising cylinders 16, 16', 41, 41', causing head 3 to descend and effect movement of hopper box 35 for lowering of same to present it into immediate overlying a'butting relationship upon stripper plate 46, thus compressing springs 44 and causing guide pins 50 to extend downwardly. It will be seen that the firm disposition of hopper box 35 upon stripper plate 46 will stabilize the latter together with forming plate 111 to :avoid any undesired turning, or shifting movement of mold box B during the molding operation, as might be produced under torque developed by shafts 3. With motor head 3 in full down position packing heads p and dowel pin cores 103 will project through the aligned openings 66, 60, and 117, 70 in the pallet 65 and pilot plate 59', respectively (FIGURE 5). The operator may then easily cause molding materials, such las mixed concrete, cement, or the like, to be delivered to mold box B through the openings 33 of said hopper box 35 and the aligned openings 54 and 114 of stripper plate 46 and forming plate 111, respectively, it being noted that there will be adquate space for `the descent of such material, as such openings are of greater diameter than that of the shafts 8 projecting therethrough. The molding material may be delivered to the hopper box 35 in any suitable manner, such as, by conveyor, and the like, and :the same may be easily fed to the mold box B, by hand, through the said openings, as above described. After the molding material has been presented to the mold box B so las to ll the voids or open spaces therein, between and about the shafts 8 and packing heads p, and about rods 101 and dowel pin cores 10S, hydraulic motors m are energized so as to effect rotation of shafts 8 and substantially simultaneously Itherewith hydraulic cylinders 16, 16 are caused, as by appropriate manipulation of a conveniently located hand lever, to effect a retracting or lifting movement of their related pistons 17, 17 so as to cause `ascent of motor head 3. Thus, shafts 8 with their related packing heads p will be rotating and traveling axially upwardly through the molding material within mold box B with each packing head p effecting formation within the block b to be produced, of a duct d having 'a diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of said packing heads p, while rods 101 will be simultaneously carried upwardly causing a continuous passage or bore e having a diameter substantially that of cores 10S to be formed in block b. As rods 101 are raised during the molding and forming operation, the mold material will llow inwardly against the outer face of core 108, thereby filling the annular space temporarily developed by the differential in diameters of said rods 101 and their related cores 108. l-t is to be particularly noted that this action is reliably facilitated by the coaction between the tapered terminals 105 of rods 101 and the packing action of heads p, since as the latter rotate mold material will be forced radially `outwardly into contact with said tapered terminals 105 for deflection downwardly therefrom for disposition about cores 103.

By virtue of the relatively loose or floating iit of rods 101 within their respective collars 100, and through their pin-eliccted inter-engagement, the same may freely swing or swivel and thus relatively give upon encountering any non-resisting force, and also thereby permit an operator to guide said rods 101 into the appropriate openings should there, for any undetermined reason, be accidental non-registration. Accordingly, .the clearance at the upper ends of said rods 101 will allow for limited upward movement of said rods upon striking any object at their lower ends, as through inadverent misalignment of openings 33 in hopper box 35. Rods 101 are thus adapted to avoid damaging impact with -any unexpected obstacles during the forming operation. This aforesaid loose t prevents rod or `core breakage, which should occur with rcostly frequency if said rods 101 were rigidly mounted on machine A.

Passages e exten'd from end to end of the formed block b and are adapted for receiving dowel pins (not shown) which are customarily utilized `during installation for interconnecting abutting conduit blocks. By use of the present invention a formed block b may be cut into units of varying length having the dowel pin openings extending therethrough. Heretofore, in forming conduit blocks, it had been the practice to provide dowel pin openings at only the upper and lower ends of the blocks, which openings were not connected, and relatively short in extent, so that upon cutting same into smaller sections, it was necessary to provide requisite dowel pin openings therein by an independent operation.

The chamfered rims 115, 116 on forming plate 111 and pallet 65, respectively, cause the formed conduits d to be beveled or flared at their upper and lower ends, las at g, as may best be seen in FIGURE l1. The provision of such beveled or Ichamfered portions allows for any accidental non-registration of adjacent conduit blocks b when in installed position so that the danger of cutting or rupturing o-f the insulation or covering of any cables received within the ducts d thereof is avoided. Prior to 'the present invention ducts of conduit blocks were of constant diameter throughout their length 'and thereby presented a relatively sharp edge at each end which would cause `cutting of cable insulation should adjacent blocks be out of alignment. Consequently, the provision of the chamfered rims in machine A is productive of -a feature in the resulting block-s which will permit of error in the block-laying operation so as to prevent costly .damage to cables passing therethrough.

By the ruse of the oatingly mounted dowel pin cores of the present invention, there are also overcome the various disadvantages heretofore generally accepted, resulting from the use of the short, dowel pin-forming members, embodied in currently used machines, provided for upward extension into the -Inold material, for development of the lower end openings. These short Imembers have been subjected to breakage or bending through customary, all too frequent non-lalignment fwith lthe related openings -in the pallet, land have `also caused cocking or tilting of the pallet with expected damage or imperfection in the block being formed.

When the packing heads p and cores '108 have been withdrawn from the mold box B, that is, when motor head 3 is in full upward position 'as shown in full lines in FIGURE 1, the same will close the normally open limit switch, whereby hydraulic cylinders 41, 41 are actuated for raising hopper box 35 into the position shown in full llines in FlGURE v1, thereby causing release of tension upon springs 44 so that `stripper' plate 46, together with attached lforming plate 111, will be presented spacedly downwardly below hopper box 35. By such withdrawing action of hopper box 35 the downward pressure `upon mold box B is removed and :thereupon turntable 56 may be rotated so as to presentan empty mold box into position preparatory to the next molding operation `and to present .the -rnold box B `containing the fully molded :conduit block b in position for removal from machine A. The latter may be transported from turntable 56 by any suitable means, such as, preferably, by a small hand cart,V and by such removal it will be noted that pallet 65 is `freed to descend, through gravity, into seated, abutting relationship upon shoulder 64 of mold box B and in so moving the same will elect a stripping of 4the molded block b from the side Walls of mold box B, thus Ibreaking the vacuum which will have developed therein. After removal from turntable 56, the mold box -B is split as by disengagement of latch elements 63 to allow freeing of the formed conduit block b. It will thus be seen that the said block contains ducts d having beveled or flaring ends las :at g, which correspond to the various packing heads p, and yfour smaller ldiameter passages e-forrned by `dowel pin cores 108.

The said conduit block b thus contains nine ducts d, but it is easily seen that a block containing six ducts, or any number ot ducts upto nine could be as easily formed merely by utilizing only the corresponding number of shafts 8 and packing heads p.

Although pallet 65 and forming plate 111 are shown as having the chamiered rims 116, 115, respectively, integrally formed thereon, such as, 'by casting, and the like, it is to be recognized that such rim portions may be independent elements for detachable engagement upon the related carrying member. An `example of such is shown in FIGURE 8, which reveals a sect-ion of a plate 11111' such as, a forming plate, having openings 120 extending therethrough; said openings 120v being tapped for receiving the Ithreaded necks or bushings 122 of inserts 123, as formed of nylon, metal, or the like. Said inserts are of such length as to proiect at one end beyond the engaged plate and to be provided in such extended por-tion with an encircling chamtered rim `124; there being a shoulder 125 for abutment against the adjacent face of the plate 111. Obviously, inserts 12.3 may be used for forming the upper or lower ends of the ducts d of lthe blockl b being molded, by yapplication Within the requisite plate, the openings are of relatively increased diameter to accommodate such inserts 123, it being recognized that the inside diameter of said inserts is of` `such extent las to permit extension therethrough of packing heads p.

Thus, machine A is easily operated `and is consistent and reliable in operation so -as to produce conduit blocks of uniform character and of great strength and durability. Furthermore, the machine is so contrived that the molding operation may be substantially continuous so that maximum production maybe achieved.

The continuous, unbroken character of dowel pin openings e permit of ready inspection by subjection to light, so that any inadvertent malformations will be readily noted. This precautionary feature was not possible with the short openings provided in blocks heretofore.

It should be understood that changes and modications in the formation, construction, arrangement, 'and combination of fthe several parts of the conduit block making machine may be made and substituted ttor these herein shown and described without departing trom the nature and principle of my invention.` 1

YHaving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A conduit block making machine adapted `for receiving a mold box for moldable material comprising a trarne, :a head mounted on said drame and adapted for reciprocal vertical travel therealong, prime moving rneans Acarried on head, a plurali-ty of elongated, vertically pre- 'sented shafts adapted for rotation by said prime moving means and carried by said head for downward extension therefrom, a plurality of elongated rod members supported from said head lfor movement therewith being in downward extension therefrom in normally axial parallelisrn with said shafts, said rod members beingof less diameter than said shafts, each rod member being positioned between at least two shafts, a packing head carried on the llower end of each shaft, each rod rnember being of slightly lesslength than the combined lengths of each shaft and its associated packing head Iand means located spacedly downwardly ot said bead lfor engaging the lower end of the mold box for supporting rand positioning same for reception at its lower end of 'the lower portions of said shaft-s and rod members when said head is in `lowered position whereby upon upward travel of said head said Shafts and rod members will be drawn through the rnoldable material for Iformation of openings therein extending from end to end of the block formed.

2. A conduit block making Imachine as dened in claim 1 and further characterized by each rod member being adapted tor limited rock-ability about its support from said head, each rod member being tapered `at its lower end.

3. A conduit block making machine as defined in claim 1 and characterized by each -rod member comprising a holder element and `a core member scoured in the lower end por-tion of the related holder element, each holder element having la tapered portion adjacent its connection to 1the related core member, and each core member being of relatively reduced diameter with respect to its assoiated holder element.

4. A conduit block making machine -as dened in claim 1 and further characterized by a pallet provided lat the lower lend of said mold box and having openings for projection therethrough of the packing heads of said shafts `and the lower ends of said rods, whereby upon upward travel of siaid heads, continuous, duct-like openings Will be formed by said shafts and said rods in a resulting conduit block, which openings extend trom end to end of such block.

5. A conduit block making machine as delined in claim 4 and further characterized by each rod member being located equidistant from lfour shafts.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 392,069 Richardson Oct. 30, 1888 614,725 lungbluth Nov. 22, 1898 1,027,492 McCracken May 28, `19'12 1,423,983 Woolcock July 25, 1922 1,828,890 Cook Oct. 27, 1931 1,937,350 LaDue Nov. 28, 1933 2,525,275 Schnidt Oct. 10, 1950 2,612,672 Rienburg Oct. 7, 1952 2,994,936 Rauch Aug. 8, 1961 3,000,070 Gagne Sept. 19, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 43,500 Germany 'June 18, 1888 965,748 Germany I-une 19, 1957 

1. A CONDUIT BLOCK MAKING MACHINE ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING A MOLD BOX FOR MOLDABLE MATERIAL COMPRISING A FRAME, A HEAD MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND ADAPTED FOR RECIPROCAL VERTICAL TRAVEL THEREALONG, PRIME MOVING MEANS CARRIED ON HEAD, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED, VERTICALLY PRESENTED SHAFTS ADAPTED FOR ROTATION BY SAID PRIME MOVING MEANS AND CARRIED BY SAID HEAD FOR DOWNWARD EXTENSION THEREFORM, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED ROD MEMBERS SUPPORTED FROM SAID HEAD FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH BEING IN DOWNWARD EXTENSION THEREFROM IN NORMALLY AXIAL PARALLELISM WITH SAID SHAFTS, SAID ROD MEMBERS BEING OF LESS DIAMETER THAN SAID SHAFTS, EACH ROD MEMBER BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO SHAFTS, A PACKING HEAD CARRIED ON THE LOWER END OF EACH SHAFT, EACH ROD MEMBER BEING OF SLIGHTLY LESS LENGTH THAN THE COMBINED LENGTHS OF EACH SHAFT AND ITS ASSOCIATED PACKING HEAD AND MEANS LOCATED SPACEDLY DOWNWARDLY OF SAID HEAD FOR ENGAGING THE LOWER END OF THE MOLD BOX FOR SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING SAME FOR RECEPTION AT ITS LOWER END OF THE LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID SHAFTS AND ROD MEMBERS WHEN SAID HEAD IS IN LOWERED POSITION WHEREBY UPON UPWARD TRAVEL OF SAID HEAD SAID SHAFTS AND ROD MEMBERS WILL BE DRAWN THROUGH THE MOLDABLE MATERIAL FOR FORMATION OF OPENINGS THEREIN EXTENDING FROM END TO END OF THE BLOCK FORMED. 